is not an official replacement and he is not being paid to remain ready, but the budding welterweight is currently undergoing training camp in case his services are needed .
So why exactly is he preparing for a fight that might not even happen?
Well, Gorimbo is essentially playing on the odds that are there won't make it to his fight against him on Dec. 7 after the former welterweight title contender pulled out of his originally scheduled fight in August for unknown reasons. Of course, Gorimbo doesn't wish any ill will on Diaz, but it's been over three years since the Stockton, California native's last fight, and the fortuitous fight cancellation in August hasn't exactly instilled confidence that he'll storm back into the octagon come December.
“I’m here in Las Vegas right now preparing like I’m going to fight Vicente Luque on December 7th,” Gorimbo told MMA Fighting. “If it happens that Diaz doesn’t show up to the party, I’ll be here and ready. Conversely, if Luque doesn't want to show up to the party, I'll show up and fight Diaz. That's where I'm standing right now and that's the fight I see.
“When I left Miami I said, tell Vicente Luque I will wait for him in Vegas. If that happens, I'll wait. We'll have a fun fight. I respect him. It's a tough fight. He's been in the UFC for a long time, he's done his part. I'm the new kid on the block, but we're similar in age. But I think I'm just hungrier. I’m probably the hungriest guy in the UFC right now. I may not be the best of them, but when it comes to being hungry pound for pound, I'm the best. If we meet, there will be war and I will win.”
Gorimbo's decision to leave his family in Florida and return to Las Vegas without really promising that he will actually fight may seem like a strange idea, but in reality he is only betting on himself.
He's made a steady rise in the UFC against increasingly tough competition, but Gorimbo admits the chance to face an experienced competitor like Luque is exactly what he needs right now.
“This is a calculated risk,” Gorimbo said. “If I hadn't taken a calculated risk, I would be in Miami with my family, but I'm taking a calculated risk. Family time will come. Why I do this is for my family. I have to keep winning. I have to keep fighting for my family. I don't have an off button. I'm thinking about fighting whether I'm here or in Miami.
“I think December 7th is my day and I had to quickly pivot and come back and start preparing accordingly. I will be ready on December 7th.”
Even though his main focus is on Luque for obvious reasons, Gorimbo certainly wouldn't pass up the chance to face Diaz.
To be honest, Gorimbo isn't one of the favorites to potentially step in as a replacement, but he just knows that if there are any concerns about this particular fight, it's up to Diaz.
“Next, I was a big fan of Nick Diaz,” Gorimbo said. “He and were two of my favorite fighters. I always liked those guys, the way they fought when I was coming up, and what could be better than working so hard that your idols become your rivals. For me it would be the perfect scenario.
“I know Nick Diaz's moves, I've studied them over the years and I know the 'Stockton Slap.'” I have the village slap that I practice myself. If so, why not. We will have a batting contest and may the best man win.”
over the next month, Gorimbo plans to endure the rigors of a training camp, and even if the UFC doesn't invite him, he expects to show up during fight week to prove he's ready.
The same goes for the official weigh-ins, and if disaster strikes, Gorimbo promises that he will be ready to take that fight 24 hours in advance.
“I think it will happen, me and Luque,” Gorimbo said. “I’m that sure. I have a strong feeling for it. I will win this fight. I don't even have an afterthought. The thought I have is that I'll show up on December 7th. Whether they withdraw one day before the fight or two days before the fight does not matter.
“Fight week I load up on water, I cut weight. I'm going to come to APEX and sit there and put on weight. I don't need to be paid. I just want to make sure I raise my hand and say yes to this opportunity.”
